Anchor



Patented July 15, 195.2

ANCHOR '.lohn S. Page, Long Beach, Calif., assigner to Page Uil Tools Inc., Long -Beach, Calif., a corporation of California Application January 7, 1949, Serial 'No.69 ,677

1I) Claims.

This invention has to -do with an anchor or gripping device useful in wells, and itis more specifically concerned with a slip type anchor in which the slips are hydraulically actuated. It is -a general object of the invention to provide an anchor useful in a well tubing, or the like, which anchor is of simple sturdy practical construction.

The structure provided by the present invention is of the general Aform or type which is the subject of my -copending application entitled anchor for well equipment, Serial No. 27,384, led May 17, 1948.

A Ageneral object of the present invention is to ,provide an anchor f the type referred to whichis of simple sturdy construction and whereineach of the parts is simple in ferm and easily manufactured.

Another object of this invention is to provide an anchor yof the character referred to wherein the body is characterized by a core carrying longitudinally spaced iianges between which slips are guided for radial `movement and carrying circumferentially spaced ribs located between the flanges Aand. serving to space the slips apart and guide them for radial movement and at the same time limit their radial movement.

Another yobject of the invention is to provide an anchor of the general character referred to characterized by a simple, sturdy, inexpensive body which serves as an effective dependable support for .a plurality of slips and the v,plungers which operate the slips.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood'frozn` the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and applicationA of the invention, throughout which description reference is 'made to vthe laccompanyingdrawings, in which zV Fig. l is a view of equipment in a'well showing a well casing in section and a string of tubing entered in the casing, `and showing the anchor provided by the present invention combined rwith a packer yof the type which is the subject of my copending application entitled Well Packer, led on even date herewith Serial No. 69,676. Fig.,2 is an `enlarged view of the anchor shown in Fig. 1 with certain parts broken away to show in section yand. with the foremost slip removed to show the plungers provided yfor actuating it. Fig. 3 is a detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated byline 3 3 on Fig. 2, showing the several slips of the anchor fully actuated. Figi. 4 is an Aenlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated -by line A-Ii on Eig. y3, and Fig; 5 is fa l 2 detailed transverse sectional view taken as. indicated by line -5-5 on Fig. 2., showing the several slips contracted or unactuated.

The anchor of the present invention is useful, generally, to secure one object relative to another in a well, and it is particularly useful or practical where an object such as a string of tubing is to be set in a casing, or the like. The application of the invention illustrated in the drawings asa typical application discloses the anchor X provided .by the present invention carried by a. string of tubing Y, which tubing also carries a packing structure Z, the packing being shown located below the anchor and of the type disclosed in my companion application and Which is characterized by a compression packing I0 combined with an expansible packing II so that the advantages characteristic of these two packings are cornbined ina unitary structure togain a most satisfactoryresult. j

The anchor X of the present invention, being employed in a situation such as I have just referred to, is formed cir-constructed so vas to be coupled in a string of tubing or between a tubing and Va packing assembly. The form of the invention illustrated in the drawings involvesgenerall-y, a body A which is an elongate tubular structure, slips B mounted on or carried by the body, and nuid pressure actuated plungers ,Cv

carried by the body and operating the slips.

The body as'provided by the present invention is characterized, generally, by a central core l2, longitudinally spaced flanges I3 and I4 that occur at the ends .of the core, circumferentially'spaced ribs `I 5 on the core between the flanges and coupling parts lion'or projecting from the ends of the core.

The core I2 of the body A is a simple, elongate tubular part having a central opening kor flow passage Il extending therethrough, :and it, -in effect, is a mounting or carrier for the other elements of the body, since it is the part to which the several elements of the Abody connect.

The flanges I3 Aand I4 are spaced apart longitudinally of the ybody andare located at theends of the ,corel I2 ytoproject radially therefrom. The flanges I3 and VIi are characterized yby inner or opposed faces I8 which are flat and smoothand which are disposed in `parallel planes .normaljto the longitudinal axis of the body.` In thez'preferred form.;of the invention Vone rof the iianges is fixedvor'integralwith the other .partsof the body, lfor instance, with vthe core I.2,-.while:the other-is shiitable and :preferably separable from the core. In the case illustrated thefangeQl-S,

is integral with the core while the flange I4 is shiftable relative to the core and relative to the flange I3, being joined to the core by a threaded connection I9 which enables it to be separated from the core. By forming one flange integral with the body and by threading the other flange to the body the parts can be separated allowing application of the slips to the structure and when the anchor is assembled the opposed faces I8 of the flanges may be set so that the slips are slidably received or engaged between them to have the desired freedom of movement radially relative to the core.

The ribs I are spaced apart circumferentially of the core I2 and in the preferred form of the invention they are spaced from the flanges I3 and I4 so as to be located about midway between the flanges. The ribs I5 extendA a substantial distance lengthwise of the core and they cooperate to establish longitudinal channels that carry the slips for radial movement relative to the core. In the case illustrated there are four slips B and four ribs I5 cooperating to form four slip channels. The core in this particular case is shown polygonal in cross sectional configuration where the ribs I5 occur, so that it has four sides at which the slips are arranged. The ribs I5 occur at or project from the corners of the core resulting from the polygonal formation of the core, and the ribs have smooth longitudinally disposed sides 2I forming or defining the slip carrying channels. The walls 2I of adjacent ribs oppose each other and are parallel so that they form a slip-carrying channel supporting a slip so that it is free to move radially relative to the core. Lips 22 are provided on the outer edge portions of the ribs, narrowing the outer portions of the channels and forming stops limiting outward movement of the slips relative to the core. In the preferred form of the invention the ribs I5 are integrally joined with or formed on the core to be suitably spaced from the flanges I3 and I4 and they have outer faces 24 which are turned or curved concentric with the axis of the body. By thus forming the ribs on or with the core as parts thereof the body is such that it can be easily manufactured and the walls 2| and lips 22 that support the slips may be easily machined, particularly when the flange I4 is removed, as is the case when the ribs I5 are being finished or formed.

The slips B are simple elongate gripping devices'and each is characterized by flat smooth ends slidably engaging the faces I8 of the body flanges. Each slip has flat parallel sides 3I slidably engaged by the opposed ribs 22 of a slip carrying channel and the innermost portion of each slip opposing a flat side of the core has a flat inner face 33 and is widenedsomewhat to have projections 34 projecting beyond the sides 3I to slidably engage the walls 2I of the longitudinal ribs I5. The parts are so related or iitted as to allow free movement of the slips radially relative to the core and the projections 34 at the inner parts of the slips cooperate with the lips 22 at the outer parts of the ribs to positively limit outward movement of the slips relative to the core. In Fig. 5 of the drawings the slips are shown in the innermost position where the flat inner sides 33 seat against the sides 2U of the core. In Fig. 3 of the drawings the slips are shown in a fully extended position where the projections 34 are stopped against lips 22. With the construction just described `it isY preferred that the projections 34 extend continuously between the ends of the slips and it will be understood that the outer faces of the slips may be suitably finished or fashioned to have gripping parts such as teeth 40, or the like, as working conditions may require.

To assemble the slips with the body the flange I4 of the body is removed and the slips slid longitudinally relative to the body so that the projections 34 of the slips enter behind the lips 22. When the slips are in position abutting the flange I3, the flange I4 is applied and when in place positively retains the slips against longitudinal displacement.

In the -particular form of the invention illustrated a hydraulic means is provided for operating the slips radially relative to the body or to the core of the body. In this case a plurality of radially disposed cylinder-like openings 50 are provided in the core and each opening 50 carries a slip operating plunger 5I. The cylinder openings 50 are radially disposed and extend from the central opening I1 of the core to the outer faces 20 thereof. The plungers 5I are slidably carried in the cylinder openings 50 and each is provided with a sealing ring or packer 52 establishing a fluid tight connection between the plunger and the wall of the cylinder opening. Inwardly projecting stops 55 are provided in the inner ends of the cylinders 50 limiting inward movement of the plungers 5l so that they 'are confined against projecting into the opening I7. The cuter ends 56 of the plungers are flat and abut the flat inner faces 33 of the slips. The parts are so proportioned that when the slips are stopped in their outward movement by the lips 22 the plungers 5I are still operatively engaged in the cylinders.

With the construction just described it will be apparent that fluid under pressure in the body or in the core of the body acts outwardly on the several plungers 5I and by providing a multiplicity of plungers engaging each slip as shown in the drawings, each slip is effectively forced outwardly to have effective gripping engagement with an object such as a casing 60, or the like. When the fluid pressure is relieved from the interior of the body the slips are free to move in, or collapse, freeing the anchor from the casing.

Where the structure is to be connected vwith other parts, for instance, where it is to be coupled between a tubing and a packing assembly, as shown in the drawings, or where it is 'to be connected in a string of tubing, coupling parts I6 are provided at each end of the body. In the case illustrated the coupling parts I6 are shownas simple tubular integral projections or eXtension of the core, projecting outwardly beyond the ,flanges I3 and I4. The connections I6 may be joined with other parts in any suitable manner. In the case illustrated each connection is provided with a threaded portion 6I for'making threaded connection with an adjoining part.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that my present invention provides a body which effectively supports a group or multiplicity of slips so that they are free to move radially into gripping engagement with a casing, or the like. The slips are confined between the flanges I3 and I4 which support them for free radial movement, and the ribs guide and support the slipsintermediate their ends and preferably at points confined to their middle portions, so that they are free to move radially. It will be understood how the ribs I5 are not only effective in guiding and spacing the slips but how they effectively stop radial outward movement of the slips preventing separation of the slips from the other parts of the anchor. The hydraulic operating means characterized by the several plungers operating each slip, operates uniformly and by providing a multiplicity of plungers a substantial gripping force may be applied to the slips and the action gained is uniform in that all of the slips Will operate in the same manner and with the same pressure.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims. l

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate tubular body having longitudi-A nally spaced flanges and circumferentially spaced ribs between the flanges, slips between the flanges and slidably guided between the ribs to move radially of the body, the slips and ribs cooperating to limit outward radial movement of the slips, and means operating the slips relative to the body, the flanges having flat opposed faces slidably engaged by the ends of the slips.

2. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate body having a central core, a flange ilxed at one end of the core, a flange threaded on the other end of the core, and circumferentially spaced ribs extending longitudinally of the bodybetween the flanges, slips between the flanges and slidably guided by the ribs to shift radially of the body, and means operating the slips radially of the body including, plungers slidably carried in radially disposed cylinder openings in the core to bear outwardly on the slips.

3. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate tubular body having a central core polygonal in cross sectional configuration, flanges projecting from the ends of the core, and ribs on the core at the corners thereof and defining circumferentially spaced longitudinally disposed guideways, slips between the flanges and movable radially of the body in the guideways, means limiting outward radial movement of the slips, and means operating the slips radially, the flanges having flat opposed walls and the ends of the slips being flat and slidably engaged with said walls.

4. An anchor body including an elongate tubular core with radially disposed cylinder openings therein, a ilangeintegral with the core at one end thereof, a flange threaded to the core at the other end thereof, and guide ribs on the core between the flanges.

5. An anchor body including an elongate tubular core polygonal in cross section and having a plurality of radially disposed cylinder openings at each side, a flange integral with the core at one end thereof, a flange threaded on the other end of the core, and guide ribs on the core between the flanges.

6. An anchor body including an elongate tubular core polygonal in cross section and having a plurality of radially disposed cylinder openings at each side, a flange integral with the core at 6 one end thereof, a flange threaded on the other end of the core, and guide ribs on the core between the ilanges and having longitudinally disposed lips to retain slips between the ribs.

7. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate tubular body having longitudinally spaced radially projecting flanges and circumferentially spaced longitudinally disposed ribs extending between the flanges, slips confined between the flanges against movement lengthwise of the body and slidably guided between the ribs for movement radially of the body, the slips and ribs cooperating to limit outward radial movement of the slips, and fluid pressure actuated means operating the slips relative to the body.

8. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate tubular body having longitudinally spaced radially projecting flanges and circumferentially spaced longitudinally disposed ribs between the flanges, slips conned between the flanges against movement lengthwise of the body and slidably guided between the ribs for movement radially of the body, the slips and ribs cooperating to limit outward radial movement of the slips relative to the body, and means operating the slips relative to the body, one of the flanges being fixed relative to the other parts of the body and the other flange being shiftable relative to the other parts of the body.

9. A n anchor of the character described including, an elongate body having a central core, a flange fixed on one end portion of the core and projecting radially therefrom, a flange threaded on the other end portion of the core and projecting radially therefrom, and circumferentially spaced ribs on the core extending longitudinally of the body and located between the flanges, slips between and engaging both of the flanges to be held thereby against movement lengthwise of the body, theslips being slidably guided between the ribs for movement radially of the body, and means operating the slipsradially of the body.

10. An anchor of the character described including, an elongate tubular body having a central core polygonal in cross sectional configuration, flanges projecting radially outward from the end portions of the core, and ribs on the exterior of the core at the corners thereof between the flanges and defining circumferentially spaced longitudinally disposed guideways at the exterior of the core, slips between the flanges confined thereby against movement longitudinally of the body and slidably engaged with the ribs to be movable radially of the body in the guideways, and means operating the slips.

' JOI-IN S. PAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record-in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

